FOUR years ago today, Jessica Ennis-Hill lit up the Olympic Stadium by winning heptathlon gold.

Last night, settling into their new home, West Ham may have only cleared the first hurdle but it was an encouraging start.

Cheikhou Kouyate’s brace followed by a late third from Sofiane Feghouli ensured the Hammers booked their place in the Europa League play-off round, the final stage of qualifying.

While it all may have been without ceremony – the grand opening is not until Sunday against Juventus – at least nobody fluffed their lines.

For three years, the arguments for and against playing in the former Olympic Stadium as opposed to the Boleyn Ground have rumbled on like the debate between CD versus vinyl.

Purists may continue to grumble, but when the volume was cranked up like it was at times last night during the second leg of this third-round qualifier, there is no denying that this is clearly the future for West Ham.

West Ham's London Stadium opener in pictures

Thu, August 4, 2016

Click through the gallery for the best snaps from West Ham's opening night at the London Stadium.

Click through the gallery for the best snaps of West Ham's London Stadium opener

The fact that the memories of London 2012 in general and this arena in particular were officially being put to bed on the fourth anniversary of Super Saturday proved apt as the Hammers aimed to show that, when it comes to going the distance on two legs, they can be the new Mo Farah.

Although as Greg Rutherford’s long jump is ushered into the mists of time, Slaven Bilic will be acutely aware he will always be a result or two away from the high jump as tougher tests than this one continue to follow along quickly against the backdrop of increased expectation.

The Slovenians usually play in front of an average crowd of just a thousand and manager Luka Elsner had already labelled it “the biggest game of their careers”.

Their 2-1 first-leg advantage owed more to West Ham’s rustiness than any particular threat and from the first whistle they were able to take as much time as they wanted to settle into their new home.

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It took them just eight minutes for Kouyate to carve himself a first slice of history. Enner Valencia pulled the ball back for Sam Byram and his low drive was deflected into the net by the Senegal international.

Then a deep cross from Michail Antonio allowed Andy Carroll to nod the ball down to Kouyate to steer in his second of the night after 25 minutes.

Kouyate kicked the post in disgust, however, when Antonio failed to tee him up for a breakaway hat-trick just before the break .

Antonio himself went close with a well-saved volley seconds later and until West Ham got a third, Domzale were by no means out of it.

New signing Feghouili missed three gilt-edged chances, but when put through once again in the 81st minute he made no mistake, squeezing the ball inside the post from 15 yards . West Ham’s new home is now up and running.